Camra names 'thriving and friendly' Huddersfield club as best in town

A 'thriving' Huddersfield club has been named the best in town for its 'tip top' beers.

The Armitage Bridge Club - better known as The Monkey Club - is this year's Huddersfield Campaign for Real Ale (Camra) Club of the Year.

Managed by Gareth Shaw, the club is no stranger to awards. In fact, it has claimed the Camra Club of the Year award no less than 13 times. It has been described as a "thriving and friendly little club" by Camra members who said: "This award winning club has been a regular nomination for the title of Club of the Year for some years and it’s not difficult to see why.

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"The club serves some top quality beers, promotes real ale by supporting local brewers and provides an important community focus with its local events and activities.

"The club’s manager, Gareth Shaw, and the bar staff are to be commended for their dedication to looking after the beer and are a shining example of what can be done with a bit of imagination and effort. Quite an impressive achievement for a small local club."

Camra praised Mr Shaw, who has been manager for the past 15 years, for ensuring the beers are always 'tip-top', adding: "In that time he has successfully managed the beer selection and quality to scoop the prestigious Huddersfield Camra Club of the Year Award starting from 2012 to 2024 and achieving runner up in 2014 with Camra Yorkshire Regional Club Of The Year.

"Unlike some clubs which are tied to the national brewers and obliged to serve bland ales and lager, the Monkey club is totally committed to real ale and is free of tie. The bar supports a selection of four hand-pulled beers.

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"These include regular beers from Empire Brewing and Abbeydale brewery with a selection of ever-changing guest ales such as Ashover Brewery beers, Nailmaker beers plus others. All the beers are served in tip top condition, a fact recognised by this award."

One of the highlights of the year is the annual Monkeyfest beer, cider and music festival. This year the popular festival known as RAAM (Real Ale And Music) will be taking place on Saturday, September 7.

The Monkey Club has a good sports fraternity and plays host to the Berry Brow football team. The Club is open Wednesday and Thursday evenings from 7pm to 11pm; Friday from 5pm to 11pm; Saturday from 4pm to 11pm; and Sunday 3pm to 10pm. It is closed Monday and Tuesday.

Earlier this year Huddersfield Camra members named the County Beerhouse, Princess Street, in the town centre, as its Pub of the Year.

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